hello there-
I just got the kenmore 158.19142 (am new to sewing) and i can't figure out how to set the machine to stitch the zigzag and other stitches that Does NOT require cams...
Maybe there is a method ?
how do i set it the dials to do other stitches besides a straight stitch?
Im starting to wonder if my machine is broken?
when i sew, it just does a straight stitch and the cam start thingy spins, I cant figure out how to make it stop spinning?

I have a 1914 Kenmore as well. I'm assuming you have raised the flip panel on top since you see the cam holder spin. On top of the machine, just to right of the cam holder, is the pattern selector. It should say "Pattern Selector" right to the left of the dial.

That dial will turn left or right. On the front of the machine, you will see the pattern selector. There should be an orange indicator that will stop at each pattern when you're turning the pattern selector. The pattern on the farthest left is the straight stitch and zig zag pattern. In order to do the zig zag, or any stitch other than straight, you need to adjust your stitch width. The stitch width dial is just below the cam holder. The numbers range from 1-4 and there is also a red dot. The red dot indicates straight stitching and the higher the number, the wider the stitch will be.

Don't forget that you have reverse stitches built in and in order to use them, you will need to adjust the stitch length modifier. That is the dial on the front of the machine.

The 1914 is one of the best Kenmores, and although easy to use, I suggest you find a manual online. There is a vintage Kenmore yahoo group that I belong to and there are lots of people that would be able to help you with any other problems. Plus, I believe the files section has the manual for downloading.

By the way, the cam holder will not stop spinning. It always spins regardless of whether you have a cam in there or not.

Hi Toki,
Is this your machine? Kenmore 19142
I have a little different model but from the same era. I don't think it is broken. You really need a manual. I can't find a free manual online anywhere. Someone on here may have one. There is a yahoo group that you can join for free with a yahoo account for vintage kenmore machine. Someone may have this exact machine and could offer you better advise. There should be a way to choose the stitches that you can use without the cams. It looks like you have 6 stitches and 6 stretch stitches that you can access without a cam. You can get cams to fit this on ebay pretty cheaply. The round dial on the front should be set to the orange dot for a normal stitch; the L-S is for stretch stitches and cams. I can't see where to switch between stitches and the cam-is there a knob on top that you can see when you open it that switches the stitches? Mine is dials on the front. It looks from this picture I found that there is a dial with numbers on it when you open the top-does this change the stitches? I think if the cam thingy is spinning that the machine thinks it needs a cam. Sorry I am not more help. You have a great machine there. I bought mine new in 1980 and it is still going strong. You might need to take it in for a tune-up. It needs to be oiled-if you can get your hands on the manual it will tell you where to oil it.

I agree,the 19142 is one of the best Kenmores,I should have kept it ! I still have some of the attachments and will keep them,maybe I find another 19142 one day.I also have a free pdf manual,I can't remember where I downloaded it.Maybe someone else knows the site and can post a link for you.I think one needs the manual to operate the 19142 properly. -- Edited on 4/19/12 10:51 PM --

I found this manual online in pdf form. It is not your exact machine but may be very similar. Use the + symbol at the bottom of the page to enlarge it enough to read. Page 25 has the zig-zag instructions. Hope it helps some. MANUAL

I have a 1914 also, it's a great machine. When I bought it (used) it wouldn't make a zigzag stitch either -- the needlebar was frozen in place because it hadn't been used in so long. I applied a lot of sewing machine oil to all the moving parts and kept gently pushing the needlebar until it loosened up and swung back and forth properly (I've heard that applying heat with a blowdryer might also help -- loosening any old, hardened lubricant, I suppose -- but I haven't tried it).

thanks everyone !
the needle was frozen, and tried the oil trick and it worked!
The only thing is the needle thread keeps comming out and wont work.

i also gotta figure out how to get the tension right.
I am having problems with that...
It worked just yesterday, and after i switched up the thread it went all wacky .... the tread i switched it to must be ever so slightly thicker but not much of a difference if there even is any!

now i can't get the tension set up right, and nothing is working, ive tried rewinding the bobbin. adjusting the bobbin tension. adjusting the needle tension and nothing is lining up right1!!!! grrr.r....

i think i will join that yahoo group. maybe someone can school me through this on AIM?

thanks again for your replies!!!!!
im so excited to learn from you guys!!!!!
-TOKI

Definitely try to get your hands on a manual. The 1914 is really a pretty easy machine to operate, but you do need to make sure you are threading properly.

I would also be careful adjusting the bobbin tension. I have 4 vintage Kenmore 158 machines and I've never had to adjust the bobbin tension on any of them. It's very rare that you would even have to on these models.

If the needle tension is too tight on top and if the tension dial does not alleviate anything, then it is quite possibly the upper lid cover is screwed on too tight. I had this same thing happen to me where the upper lid was screwed on too tight after I oiled the insides. For some reason, it was weighting down on the tension discs. On this particular model, the tension discs are horizontal, not vertical like so many other machines. So the lid, from being screwed on too tight, was pressing down on the tension discs. Loosen the two top screws to the lid and see if that helps.

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